The sunlight was falling.
Caitel looked serious while watching the young emperor before him. Even if he was a rising emperor, he was nothing but a firefly compared to the sun, a sun just like Caitel, who stood tall for years.
He was an opponent that Caitel could bring down if he wanted to, but he didnât. Not because he disliked the cheeky new one of Pretzia, itâs just that one reason wasnât enough to trample on a new emperor. Besides, Caitel had lost interest in Pretzia when the past Emperorâs neck fell.
âWell, looking forward to the coming days, I will take my leave.â
Crimson red eyes full of hostility stared into Caitel.
To be honest, those eyes seemed similar, but Caitel didnât want to teach the young emperor who didnât know about life anything. Caitel smiled and turned around.
Again and again, Ferdel greeted the young emperor on Caitelâs behalf.
âI want the peace we promised today to continue till tomorrow. I wish you a peaceful journey.â
Ferdel should just tell them to hurry up and leave.
It was annoying, but Caitel was patient.
It was because he wanted to send that arrogant and annoying child back to his own country without delay.
A scandal with his daughter.
He could feel the urge in his chest to twist the throat of the young emperor. He didnât intend to accept marriage proposals from anyone, but he felt like the person intending to ask for his daughterâs hand should be dignified enough to ask Caitel.
He would give his daughter to a man who would put the entire world under his feet, but to a guy who couldnât even conquer a star?
âI once again thank Your Majesty and Agrigient for the hospitality youâve shown. I will take my leave now.â
A woman whom no one recognized was the one doing the greeting and bowing.
Layla. No, was she called something else?
Caitel had seen her hanging out with Ria at times; he could see the nervousness on her face.
She would always pretend to be calm, but she was worried that Caitel would harm her. Of course, if something happened, she would have been stuck here, but Caitel wasnât the kind to fall for such women.
âWell then.â
Pretzia bid farewell.
At last, the burdensome tasks ended. When the convoy of the Pretzia started, Caitel turned back.
Rather than that, he had an important thing to do. He had to see how his daughter was doing and comfort her; he wanted to be with her once they all left.
It was only in the evening, after the sunset, that Caitel appeared at Fulgor palace. It was time for dinner. Since his daughter always felt good after having a meal, he wanted to use this time to entertain her.
The only thing which greeted the emperor was the empty room without its owner.
â⦠where is my daughter?â
An ominous feeling. Whenever Caitel had that feeling, he knew something terrible was about to happen.
At that question, the maids in Fulgor palace began to tremble. They knew Caitel wouldnât let ordinary lives as theirs see the light of tomorrow. However, they couldnât answer the emperor.
âIs she bathing? Gone out for a walk?â
He asked, thinking they would spit out an answer, but the maids didnât utter a single word. Looking at the poor maids who were shivering because of him, Caitel took a heavy breath.
He took a deep breath and exhaled just as heavily to calm himself.
However, that didnât seem to have any effect. Eventually, Caitel did what he did best.
âKyah!â
âYour Majesty!â
Shrieks were coming out of the room with objects shattering. Caitel threw anything his hand could grasp to the wall or the ground till Caitel decided to stop.
âYour Majesty!â
While all the other maids ran, Serira approached him. In Caitelâs mind, he wanted to cut off her tongue since it always spoke the right words, but his reasoning would overwhelm his impulses.
âWhere did my daughter do, you maid?â
He had a gut feeling, but he had to confirm.
There were Two Winter Moon Knights and guards attached to her, but those incompetent knights let her go. When they returned to Solay, he thought of firing them. Caitel looked away.
Seriria responded slowly.
âThe princess isnât in the palace.â
âWhere did she go?â
Serira stiffened at Caitelâs question.
Shiiing.
Once she said that, Caitelâs sword touched Seriraâs throat. If she spoke a lie, he meant to cut her down, but Seriraâs expressions were calm as always, as if she knew about this situation.
And Caitel hated that.
âShe went out of the palace.â
âKyaah!â
A scream erupted from the maids who heard the answer. And Caitel cut Seriraâs hair slightly. He didnât intend to cut her down; he wanted her to fear him.
Caitel raised his hand and called for the attendants who followed him.
âAll those who work in this palace will be executed.â
What he had asked them to do was to protect his daughter, not take their eyes off her.
The attendants were shocked at Caitelâs outburst. No, no matter what wrong they did, to execute Princess Ariadnaâs maids was extreme. However, it was an order from the king.
Once done ordering them, Caitel turned back, not feeling an ounce of regret.
Until Serira called for him.
âYour Majesty.â
He would typically ignore it, but since she was a woman who once saved him, he turned back. She took something out of her hand and showed it to Caitel.
Caitel took the piece of paper with an unpleasant expression. When he opened it, he saw that familiar handwriting.
âYour Majesty, this girl is inadequate and wants to taste the evil sweetness of the outside air. There, she is trying to leave and see the beautiful world with her own eyes.
âIf Your Majesty understands, then I assume you realize why the girl had to leave secretly instead of telling you because you would catch her.
âYour Daughter.â
âPS. If the people in my palace quit, get sick, or killed, I wonât return. Donât put them in jail! If you do, I will hate you! I wonât even talk to you ever again!â
ââ¦â
What was he reading?
When he looked up, Serira was looking at Caitel. Maybe she didnât know what was in it. He wanted to rip her heart out, but the letter clearly said not to hurt the maids.
Shit.
â⦠no need for an execution.â
The maids, who were crouching and awaiting their eventual death, raised their heads in surprise. And Caitel turned away.
However, he wasnât backing down.
âClose down the capital and block all borders.â
Fardel, who would hear the order, might think Caitel went mad, but it didnât matter. The only thing which mattered was to get his daughter back as soon as possible.
Seeing that Assisi was nowhere to be found, he must have Ria, which made him feel at ease.
âGo and bring the twins and Graecito.â
âYes, Your Majesty.â
The attendants sighed as a new order had been made.